The pressure distribution and the flux factor of the hollow fiber membrane reactor are deduced as functions of a dimensionless number λ by a theoretical analysis of its operation modes of Ultrafiltration (UF)

Recycling (RC) and Backflush (BF). In UF and BF modes

the pressure distributions are always below the value of the linear distribution and decrease with the increase of λ. In RC mode

the pressure distribution is axi-symmetrical at the center of the tube. The flux factors of the three modes decrease with the increase of λ

and the maximums are 100%

50%

25% respectively. The productivity of UF mode is higher than that of RC mode and lower than BF mode and all decrease with the increase of the reactor tube length.